any blacksmiths on the line?

There's some decent books out there from roughly late 1960s into the 1980s. At least two of those books tell how to make home made forges and anvils that can work pretty good for starters. (I'm describing coal fired forge, not propane.) Two routes for classes and see if he likes it. One is craft and trade center that offers instruction, and the other is a historic site that does living history trades and crafts. Most of those will take on volunteers, and some times during public events may let public take a hand at some aspects.